What to avoid when you have sensitive skin

(NC)—What sensitive skin looks like is different for every person who suffers from it—but there are some common triggers that everyone should watch out for:

Harsh ingredients

Some skincare products can include chemicals or harsh ingredients that can do more harm than good to sensitive skin. Be selective in your product choice to cut down on the chance of having a reaction.

Artificial Perfumes

Products that contain artificial fragrances can be harmful to sensitive skin. Perfumes can cause inflammation that is visible on the skin’s surface, but they can also cause a reaction that isn’t instantly visible. This can leave skin weak and more susceptible to reactions in the future.

Dyes

Dyes are often added to skin care products but often serve no useful purpose. In fact, the skin can react poorly—many people are allergic to certain dyes so by looking for products that are dye-free you can reduce the chance of suffering from a reaction.

Sunlight

Sensitive skin or no sensitive skin, the sun’s rays can cause serious damage. But it can be worse for people with sensitive skin, since the skin is already weaker. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen or a moisturizer with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 15 whenever you go outside to keep your skin in top fighting form.

So what should you put on your skin?

Not all ingredients are bad – there are many that do good for your skin. Some great ingredients to look for are vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5, which are known to have moisturizing properties. You can find these ingredients in products from Simple, which offers a full range of skincare products designed for those with sensitive skin.

More information is available at Facebook.com/simpleskincare or Simpleskincare.ca

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Skin cancer survivor offers hope to others

(NC)—Forty-year-old, Derek Mason, father of three, is aware that he has beaten the odds just by being alive today.

Mason was diagnosed with advanced or metastatic melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer and one of the most aggressive of any type of cancer. It’s a disease that has historically killed half the people diagnosed within six months and only a quarter of patients would live a year.

Mason was enrolled in a study of a new type of treatment called Yervoy and today, this medication is the first approved treatment to extend the lives of patients with metastatic melanoma. Better still, he says, it has just been approved by Health Canada for widespread use in Canada.

“My family and I are thankful that I had the opportunity to receive this breakthrough treatment. I didn’t think I would be here to celebrate my 40th birthday, but I had hope that I would beat this cancer and had the will to fight it,” Mason said. “Until now, there has been no hope for Canadians with advanced melanoma, but now there is a treatment available that has the potential to extend lives.”

Medical scientists tell us that this new treatment works by stimulating the body’s own immune system to seek out and kill the cancer cells in the same way the body attacks invading viruses and bacteria. In studies, Yervoy has been shown to have a significant impact on survival, the first ever for any treatment of the disease.

You can learn more about melanoma at www.saveyourskin.ca, a website run by and for people affected with melanoma, called the Save Your Skin Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about melanoma and other skin cancers and offers information about treatment options and research.

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Tags: Save Your Skin Foundation, skin cancer, Skin cancer signs, Skin cancer survivor offers hope to others, skin cancer treatment

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Snowy days enhance the sun's harmful rays

(NC)—There’s nothing more Canadian than braving the winter weather to spend a day outdoors at a local pond or ski hill during the winter months. Whether you’re pulling on a pair of ice skates, ski boots or snowshoes, or strapping on a snowboard, most Canadians aren’t afraid to enjoy outdoor activities, despite the chill. What you don’t know about the dangers of the winter, sun, however, might leave you cold.

Health Experts say the sun can be damaging and potentially dangerous to your skin during the winter months, with snow and ice reflecting up to 80 per cent of UV radiation—eight times more than water. Canadians need to keep this in mind, as the incidences of melanoma—the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer—has more than tripled over the last 30 years and continues to increase.

Canadian Olympic Ski Cross athlete, Julia Murray, knows firsthand the devastating effects winter sun can have on the skin. In 1990, her father Dave Murray, famous Canadian skier and member of the Crazy Canucks, passed away from a deadly form of skin cancer called melanoma. Her message now to Canadians: winter sun poses a real risk, so protect yourself.

If you have a fair complexion, you are at greater risk of skin cancer. It’s important, however, for everyone to protect their skin and eyes during the winter season. Be sure to apply a full spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours. In addition, as well as wearing sunglasses or sun protective goggles, health experts advise to check your skin regularly for abnormal, new or changing moles.

More information about skin cancer, including tips on how to detect and protect, is available online at www.melanomanetwork.ca.

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Tags: dry skin tips, Snowy days enhance the sun's harmful rays, winter skin, winter skin care, winter skin tips

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Hands on winter rescue

(NC)—The human hand has 27 bones; eight in the wrist; five in the palm and the rest are in the fingers. This might sounds like a lot—but during the winter season they are put to the test. Between shoveling snow and the dry winter air, you have to take care of your hands.

One of the easiest ways to do this is by keeping your skin moisturized. Men can have a hard time with this since their skin is often thicker than women’s*, so a lotion that isn’t designed specifically for men’s needs often isn’t enough. However, there are great lotions available that are uniquely designed to fortify men’s skin to help make it resilient and perform efficiently, like the fast absorbing and extra strength body and face lotions from Vaseline Men.

You can visit facebook.com/vaseline for more tips about the importance of moisturizing.

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Tags: Hands on winter rescue, men's skin care, winter skin, winter skin care, winter skin tips

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Don't forget about your skin this winter

(NC)—The new year is in full swing and getting in shape after the holiday season is top-of-mind for everyone. However, while you’re fulfilling your resolutions by lifting weights and running on the treadmill, don’t forget about your body’s largest organ: your skin.

Keeping your skin moisturized, especially in the winter months, is an important step to keeping your body in top form. Skin is the body’s first line of defense—the stronger, it is the more it protects. So next time you are at the gym, you could try finishing your work out by moisturizing with a lotion like Vaseline Men extra strength hydrating body and face lotion. The lotion defends against dryness and has a light-weight, non-greasy formula.

More information on the importance of moisturizing is available at facebook.com/vaseline.

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Tags: Don't forget about your skin this winter, vaseline, Vaseline men, winter skin, winter skin care

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New year, new you: Great tips for healthy skin, hair and nails in 2012

(ARA) – The new year is a great time to make some resolutions to keep your skin, hair and nails healthy. Your dermatologist can help you with these resolutions. Dermatologists are medical doctors and surgeons who have extensive training, experience, and passion for keeping skin, hair, and nails healthy throughout a person’s lifetime. Here are tips to keep you healthy looking from head to toe.

* Protect your skin from the sun. Help prevent signs of aging, such as age spots and fine lines, as well as limit your risk of developing skin cancer by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing (a long-sleeved shirt, pants, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses) and seeking shade when appropriate. Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 and broad-spectrum protection (protects against ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays).

* Do not use tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product (such as a lotion, foam or spray), but continue to use sunscreen with it.

* Perform a skin self-exam. Examining your skin for suspicious moles and other lesions could save your life. Use the American Academy of Dermatology’s body mole map, located at www.aad.org, to record your moles and learn how to perform a proper skin exam. If you find a suspicious lesion, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.

* Don’t skip the hair conditioner. Dermatologists recommend using a conditioner after every shampoo. While a conditioner cannot repair hair, it can increase shine, decrease static electricity, improve strength, and offer some protection from harmful UV rays.

* Eat a healthy diet. A diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and other healthy foods can lead to healthier skin. Be sure to include some lean protein in your diet. Your skin is made of protein, so some protein is necessary for healthy skin.

* If your skin feels dry, moisturize. After bathing is the best time to moisturize so that you can trap water in the skin. If your skin still feels dry with regular moisturizing after bathing, apply moisturizer a few times throughout the day.

* Stop smoking. People who smoke expose their skin to toxins that accelerate the aging of their skin. And, the repeat puckering to inhale can cause deep lines around the lips. Frequent squinting to avoid getting smoke in one’s eyes can cause noticeable crow’s feet.

* Manage stress. To keep your skin looking its best, it is important to effectively manage stress. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your skin, hair and nails. It can worsen many skin conditions, including psoriasis, acne and rosacea, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails, and lead to hair loss.

* Don’t bite your fingernails. You can transfer infectious organisms between your fingers and mouth. Also, nail biting can damage the skin around your fingers, allowing infections to enter.

* If you have acne, do not pick, pop, or squeeze the blemishes. People mistakenly believe that picking and popping pimples will get rid of them quickly. The truth is doing any of these can irritate the skin, make acne worse, and increase the risk of scarring.

* The American Academy of Dermatology has additional tips for choosing the right doctor for your cosmetic procedure. There are a growing number of non-physicians and other doctors performing cosmetic surgery outside their scope of training. To protect your health and safety, find a doctor who specializes in the specific procedure you are considering. Board-certified dermatologists have the medical and surgical education and experience to perform cosmetic surgery and have pioneered many advances in cosmetic surgery, including tumescent liposuction, laser surgery and hair transplantation.

For more healthy skin, hair and nail tips, visit the American Academy of Dermatology’s website at www.aad.org.

Tags: dry skin tips, hair and nails in 2012, New year, new you: Great tips for healthy skin, skin care tip, skin care tips, winter skin tips

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Soy delivers natural beauty benefits

(NC)—Did you know that the soybean has special benefits for your hair and skin? Here’s a snapshot of its magic, courtesy of leading skincare line, Aveeno:

Evens skin tone: Early scientific research shows exclusive total soy proteins work to reduce the appearance of blotchiness and skin discolourations.

Smoothes and softens skin texture: Soy also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a softer, younger look and feel.

Makes hair softer, finer and less noticeable: Specific components of naturally active soy have been shown to improve hair softness and fineness.

Moisturizes skin: Vitamin E is a natural component of soy with anti-oxidant properties, which helps to protect the skin from drying environmental stresses.

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Soy: The secret to radiant skin

(NC)—The soybean is easily overlooked – but it has been shown that this tiny legume might help change how you feel, and even how you look.

Soy isn’t just a health food anymore. In addition to being packed with beneficial nutrients and working wonders when it comes to improving bone health, reducing cholesterol, and relieving menopausal symptoms, soy is quickly becoming a proven staple in skin care.

For years, Asian soybean factory workers who handled soy regularly had hands that were especially smooth and even-toned.

“Soy offers multiple benefits inherent in its natural composition, including a rich source of protein, a rich mixture of lipids, and carbohydrates, which are ideal for moisturization. When combined with a mixture of various vitamins with antioxidant benefits, skin can become more radiant,” says Toronto-based dermatologist, Dr. Paul Cohen.

According to research by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., soy proteins can help to even out skin tone by working to reduce blotchiness and discolouration, as well as smooth and soften skin texture, all while moisturizing.

With this insight in mind, Aveeno, a brand known for creating innovative active naturals technologies that combine nature with science, formulated their exclusive total soy complex. It was created in a unique way, processing the soybean so it retains its naturally active benefits and ultimately provides a concentrated form of soy. Total soy complex is found in the brand’s Positively Radiant daily moisturizers.

Most recently, the company added a new eye product containing total soy complex to its skincare roster. The new Positively Radiant eye illuminator features a mixture of tone-evening soy and vitamin B3, plus light-diffusing technology to help enhance skin’s natural radiance. The innovative design of the brush applicator helps target the areas most in need.

More information on Aveeno active naturals ingredients can be found online at aveeno.ca or Facebook.com/AveenoCanada.

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Breakthrough hydrating ingredient fights fatigued-looking skin

(NC)—Simple everyday stress can rob the skin of essential nourishment and hydration. Poor diet, sun exposure, a hectic lifestyle and lack of sleep, often result in noticeably tired skin that looks dehydrated and dull.

Toronto-based dermatologist, Dr. Paul Cohen says: “Often, people don’t realize that the skin can in fact look ‘stressed’ or ‘fatigued’ due to simple environmental factors like pollution and inadequate nutrition or sleep.”

The signs of fatigued skin can be daunting, but the experts agree that hydration is key in restoring skin to its natural beauty.

“Hydration can help to fight tired-looking skin, including dehydration, dullness, dry spots or patchiness, under-eye circles and even the occasional pimple,” Dr. Cohen explains.

While there are many moisturizing products on the market meant to hydrate the skin, few contain clinically-proven ingredients that have been shown to actually replenish and retain moisture on a cellular level.

Aveeno, a brand known for its innovative active naturals technologies that combine nature with science, has harnessed the powers of “southernwood”, an up-and-coming ingredient, to help combat dry, stressed skin caused by environmental factors. This ingredient is contained in the new Aveeno Fresh Essentials line of facial care products, specifically formulated to battle the visible signs of stressed skin.

The southernwood extract is found in the gardens and foothills of Europe and has traditionally been used for its digestive benefits. Now however, Aveeno scientists are utilizing its natural combination of sugars and polyphenols that attract and help to bind water to skin to help nourish and hydrate. This protects against the dehydrating effects of environmental stress, as the formulas help replenish and retain moisture in tired skin, leaving skin looking and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

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Anti-aging beauty tips can help you prove that age is just a number

(ARA) – In a society focused on youth, aging remains a fact of life. Thankfully, scientific advancements and product innovations make it easier than ever to diminish dreaded signs of aging.

Thinning hair is considered to be one of the most worrisome signs of aging, second only to wrinkles. In a study conducted by Nioxin, the No. 1 stylist choice for thinning hair, it was discovered that women are particularly apprehensive about seeing their locks lose density.

Doctors and scientists know that as a person ages, changes occur from the head down, and it is important to practice an anti-aging regimen that targets every area of the body. Leading dermatologist Dr. Valerie Callender shares her top tips for looking youthful.

* Get thicker, fuller looking hair: Full, healthy hair is the ultimate sign of youth and 87 percent of women ages 18-55 feel a strong enough connection to their hair to consider it a part of their personality. But as chance might have it, as many as three out of four people in the United States experience hair thinning. “Thinning hair can be a result of poor scalp health,” says Callender. “It’s important to clean and refresh the scalp, and for that I like Nioxin Hair and Scalp Systems.” Nioxin Systems deliver thicker, denser looking hair in 30 days guaranteed.

* Keep skin glowing: Not surprisingly, wrinkles are a major concern among women. The beauty industry is saturated with anti-aging creams, serums and lotions, but most consumers aren’t reaping the maximum product benefits. To do so, it’s essential to exfoliate daily. “Dead skin cells build up and form a barrier, making it difficult for products to penetrate the various layers of skin,” cautions Callender. “Once you’ve created a clean base, protect your freshly glowing skin from the sun’s rays and free radicals by applying a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen year round.”

* Eat right: A healthy diet affects not only weight, but can help maintain healthy, lustrous hair and glowing skin as well. “The right diet nourishes the entire body from the scalp down,” says Callender. A diet rich in protein and iron is essential for a healthy scalp, and foods full of antioxidants promote glowing skin. For this purpose, enjoy salmon and beans for healthy, lustrous hair, and blackberries, strawberries and plums for radiant skin.

* Maintain a white, healthy smile: Stained and discolored teeth can make you appear older and unhealthier than you are. Be sure to get teeth cleanings with a dental professional at least twice a year and floss at least once a day. Whitening toothpastes with peroxide are great for removing stains, and at-home teeth whitening strips are easier and more convenient to use than ever before. A smile says a lot about a person, so keep it healthy and youthful.

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